E-40 Gets Kicked Out of NBA Game, Claims Racial Bias - Watch

UPDATE (4/17):

In a statement to XXL, the Sacramento Kings said they would investigate E-40's claims of racial bias. "The Sacramento Kings take these claims seriously and are investigating the facts and circumstances regarding the situation, as we do anytime an accusation like this is made," the statement reads.

Meanwhile, a league source told XXL that E-40 was standing excessively and repeatedly blocking the view of guests behind him. After receiving multiple complaints, he was given a warning and refused to comply.

The insider added there was a multi-prong effort by Kings and Warriors security teams to deal with the situation, but decided to escort him from his seat and avoid further disruption.

ORIGINAL STORY:

E-40 was kicked out of an NBA playoff game between Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings last night, and the veteran rapper is not happy about it.

On Saturday (April 15), a video surfaced on social media showing E-40 being removed from his courtside seats during the fourth quarter of the NBA playoff game between the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif.

In the clip, E-40, a devout Warriors fan, is confronted by security as they are trying to escort him out of the game. The Bay Area rhymer is visibly upset that he's being removed from his courtside seats. As security escorts him out of the game, 40 Water turns around and yells a few expletives at someone in the crowd not visible in the video.

Get E-40 Tickets Here

In a statement sent to XXL, E-40 calls on the Kings franchise to investigate the actions by the venue's security team, which he accuses them of racial bias for his removal from the game.

"On Saturday night, I was subjected to disrespectful heckling over the course of the Warriors-Kings game in Sacramento. During the fourth quarter, I finally turned around and addressed one heckler in an assertive but polite manner," E-40 began his statement. "Yet, shortly thereafter, Kings' security approached me, assumed that I instigated the encounter and proceeded to kick me out of the arena."

"Unfortunately, it was yet another reminder that — despite my success and accolades as a musician and entrepreneur — racial bias remains prevalent. Security saw a disagreement between a Black man and a white woman and immediately assumed that I was at fault," he continued.

"I’ve attended countless NBA games throughout my life and have always prided myself in my professionalism, so this experience has been jarring," he added. "I was absolutely humiliated by the Kings' security team and I’m calling on the franchise to investigate the appalling conduct that transpired."

E-40 concluded: "I’m truly grateful for my fans and supporters who have reached out to express their concern and disappointment regarding these disheartening circumstances and I hope those involved are held accountable for their behavior."

XXL has also reached out to reps at Golden 1 Center for comment.

According to the Mercury News, an eyewitness, who asked not to be identified, said that a female Kings fan was yelling at E-40 throughout the game to sit down, and that it escalated to heated words being exchanged, including profanity, between the two parties.